PLANS FOR THE SUMMER 2024 PROGRAM WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A FEW WEEKS. PLEASE CHECK BACK THEN!!!
BAYFEST is:
Summer Intensive Camp FAQ
- About the BAYFEST Summer Intensive Camp
- Where has BAYFEST been in residence?
- What kind of productions has BAYFEST done?
- Who is a typical BAYFEST participant?
- How do I apply to the Summer Intensive?
- How much does BAYFEST cost?
- Why are fees for the BAYFEST Summer Intensive so low?
- Does BAYFEST offer scholarship assistance / financial aid?
- Is there an application fee? Why do I have to pay a deposit?
- How do I pay the Participant Fees?
- Who can participate in BAYFEST?
- Do I have to audition or prepare a monologue?
- Where will I stay during the summer program?
- I’m neither British nor American: can I still apply to BAYFEST?
About the BAYFEST Summer Intensive
Founded in 1990, the BAYFEST International Youth Theatre Summer Drama Camp intensive includes rigorous classes, workshops and rehearsals for a play, musical or company-devised production directed by professional directors, choreographers, designers, and other guest teachers.
This year’s programs are altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes for the virtual (online) “Shakespeare Bootcamp” will run 3 hours each day, and classes and rehearsals for the in-person camp intensive will generally be from 9:30AM – 2:30PM, six days a week, with a lunch break, and public performances at various venues in the last few days of the program. This is a rigorous training and performance program but it is certainly LOTS of fun and sometimes includes civic, press, sightseeing, and social events, going to see professional theatre, dinners/parties, etc. as possible.
Many friendships have been forged in the hard-working atmosphere of BAYFEST that have continued for decades, and each year there are a number of mini “reunions” around the US and UK. BAYFEST seeks to involve the participants in every aspect of theatre from rehearsal to performance. All participants must be available for the entire program.
As always, housing for out-of-town participants is with host families — a wonderful part of the cultural exchange of the program. Whenever possible, we place out-of-town participants with local program participants, and host families are invited to participate in a number of BAYFEST events.
Many of our alumni have gone on to some of the world’s most prestigious drama schools, including:
RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)
Stanford
LAMDA (London Academy for Music and Dramatic Art)
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Leeds
Boston University
USC
Northwestern
…and others.
Plenty of former BAYFESTers have wonderful careers on stage as well as film/TV, though many come to BAYFEST knowing they will pursue other careers, and we hear constantly that the BAYFEST experience was a terrific influence on their lives. Feedback from previous BAYFESTers can be found on our Summer Intensive Testimonials page.
Where has BAYFEST been in residence?
BAYFEST’s summer intensive programs have been held all over the US and UK: some of the places where we have been in residence include New York, London, Washington, DC, Vermont, Seattle, Newcastle on Tyne, North Wales, Los Angeles, San Diego, California, and, Sandpoint, Idaho. All participants are together for the entire program, which sometimes has included international travel.
What kind of productions has BAYFEST done?
BAYFEST productions have been performed in a variety of theatre venues, including large and small indoor theatres, parks, summer festivals and even, on occasion, at private homes. These have included Shakespeare plays (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Winter’s Tale), the musical Working, a masked commedia version of Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters, a program of American short stories, The Rake’s Progress, and many company-devised pieces including When Dreams May Come, a devised piece about dreams and nightmares that went on to have several more productions. Almost all productions are filled with lots of movement (including dance, circus skills, clowning, and stage combat) and all are professionally costumed.
Who is a typical BAYFEST participant?
BAYFEST participants have a range of previous theatre-training experience, from those who attend Arts High Schools or have performed professionally to those who have not yet had the opportunity for formal training. The main things that link all participants are a love of performing, being willing to work really hard, having a great attitude, and a desire to be a part of a truly life-changing cultural and ensemble experience.
How do I apply to the BAYFEST Summer Intensive?
Please download the 2021 application and instructions HERE, which you can return by regular mail or email.
How much does BAYFEST cost?
Because of grant funding we have received, the cost for the BAYFEST 10-day Virtual “Shakespeare Bootcamp” is $250. The cost for the 2-week Summer Camp Intensive is $650. Full and partial scholarships are available, and we encourage all to apply if interested. Fees do not include transportation to the program. There is no application fee, however accepted students will be asked to submit a $200 deposit to secure their place in the program, unless they are receiving scholarship. In that case, they will be told if there is a deposit required.
Why are fees for the BAYFEST Summer Intensive so low, compared with many other summer drama programs?
One of our goals since our inception is to encourage young performers from a wide variety of areas and backgrounds to apply. To that end, we have always set the cost for the BAYFEST program much lower than many of the summer drama camps and programs around the US. We are able to do this with the support of our generous foundation, governmental and private donors, including many former BAYFESTers!
Does BAYFEST offer scholarship assistance / financial aid?
Yes! BAYFEST has direct, need-based scholarship grants, and fundraising assistance is available. We are proud that in our 26-year history we have been able to help all accepted participants find the necessary funding from a variety of sources, including direct scholarships, local grants and targeted fundraising. Please fill out the Scholarship Form if you are interested, and return with your application. Applying for financial aid does not affect acceptance decisions
How do I pay the deposit and fees?
You may do so online via our Fees page. Or, you may send check or money order to:
4050 20TH AVE, SW, STE B, SEATTLE, WA 98106, USA
All payments will be acknowledged by email.
Who can participate in BAYFEST?
Applicants must be between 13 and 19 years of age and cannot have attended University or post-high school college. Back to Top
Do I have to audition or prepare a monologue?
Yes. All applicants who cannot attend a local in-person audition date are required to submit their audition by video. In-person workshop auditions will be held in select locations, and applicants will be notified once we receive their application. For more information, see Auditions. Up to 23 participants will be chosen by audition from all locations combined.
Who is a typical BAYFEST participant?
BAYFEST participants have a range of previous theatre-training experience, from those who attend Arts High Schools or have performed professionally to those who have not yet had the opportunity for formal training, or know already that they do not plan to go into performing as a career, but love doing it. The main things that link all participants are a love of performing, being willing to work really hard, having a great attitude, and a desire to be a part of a truly life-changing cultural and ensemble experience. BAYFEST ensembles include members from a wide range of ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds and it is the experience of really getting to know peers from very different places and backgrounds that is always one of the most rewarding parts of the program.
Where will I stay during the summer program?
Housing for out-of-town participants will be with host families. Whenever possible, we place out-of-town participants with local program participants. The host family experience can be one of the most important parts of the program, and many participants have stayed in touch and visited their host families for years after BAYFEST
I’m not from Seattle, or British, American, or Canadian: can I still apply to BAYFEST?
Applicants from outside the US, Canada, or Great Britain, including those whose first language is not English, are encouraged to apply. However participants must speak English well enough to perform and receive instruction in English.
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